Trevor Project CEO Talks of His Work and Faith January 30 in Palm Springs

Charles Robbins, executive director and CEO of The Trevor Project,will be guest speaker on Sunday, January 30, 2011, during the 10:00 a.m. worship service of Bloom in the Desert Ministries UCC. Mr. Robbins will talk of how his faith and work intertwine. The Trevor Project is the leading national organization focused on crisis and suicide prevention efforts among lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and questioning (LGBTQ) youth. Mr. Robbins will speak about his work and his faith as it relates to who he is in his work.

During the hospitality time that follows the service, Mr. Robbins will be available for a 30-minute “Living Faith Forum” time when he will be open to questions and comments. During the worship service, the liturgy will reflect an “it get’s better” frame with specific reference to ending bullying and celebrating respect for diversity.

The Trevor Project is determined to end suicide among LGBTQ youth by providing life-saving and life-affirming resources including nationwide, 24/7 crisis intervention lifeline, digital community and advocacy/educational programs that create a safe, supportive and positive environment for everyone. The Trevor Lifeline is a free and confidential phone counseling service for young people who are experiencing a crisis. TrevorChat is a free, confidential and secure online messaging service that connects young people with a counselor without having to pick up the phone.

Bloom in the Desert Ministries United Church of Christ and Reconciling Methodist congregation meets at 3601 East Mesquite Avenue (which is the Demuth Community Center) in Palm Springs Sundays at 10:00 a.m. As a small, new-start, liberal Protestant church; they make 1,000 sandwiches weekly for homeless, working poor and elderly poor while assisting The Well in the Desert in Palm Springs. Bloom’s “Jim Trout Memorial Fund” underwrites backpacks and school supplies each school year for dozens of needy children referred by Palm Springs Unified School District. Food and toiletry items are collected weekly to support Food Now in Desert Hot Springs. Bloom regularly supports marriage equality and anti-racism efforts. The church was founded as an open and affirming, peace and justice congregation.

Charles Robbins has spent his career in non-profit management. From founding organizations to serving in senior fundraising and development roles at some of the most prominent LGBTQ organizations in the country, Charles is a seasoned leader and passionate advocate. During his four-year tenure at The Trevor Project, the full-time staff has grown from five to 16 and the annual budget has tripled to more than $2 million. Charles is a member of the National Action Alliance for Suicide Prevention, the National Lifeline Suicide Prevention Consumer/Survivor Subcommittee, the Suicide Prevention Plan Advisory Committee for the California Department of Mental Health, and the California LGBT Health Network. His professional history includes serving as development director for the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force, various senior fundraising roles at GLAAD and founding Project Angel Heart, a Denver-based non-profit. A Colorado native, Charles holds a certificate in non-profit administration from the University of Colorado, Denver, and is a Certified Fund Raising Executive (CFRE) by the Association of Fundraising Professionals. When he’s not leading the Trevor staff, Charles spends time with his husband, Damon, in Los Angeles or Palm Springs.